Tuesday, January 26, 2010

People making amazing things is what motivates me daily. Having the opportunity to curate shows is something that I have become very fond of, bringing people together to look at something someone made. It's fantastic. After closing my space Paper Boat in Milwaukee last year I've really missed having art openings so when I was approached by the ladies at Craftland Gallery to put together a show I jumped on the opportunity.

My biggest challenge as a curator is having to select out of the pool of artists I am excited about. "New Work by Margaret Oomen and Merrilee Challis" was a great decision. I had worked with Merrilee in the past, Margaret's work I had discovered somewhere in blogland. Their work fits really well with one another, and the installation looks fantastic. We scheduled it so I got to be there for the opening (I had a screening of Handmade Nation the next day). Merrilee came up from Alabama and Margie was there in spirit. Here are a few photos from the show, the full set is here.

PLEASE NOTE:Artwork from the show is available for sale online here.Margaret has opted to donate all her sales to help Haiti you can read about it on her blog.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

I got to visit this business, in this fantastic tucked away warehouse, that will forever go down in places I can't believe still exist, or ever did exist. I am tip-toeing around how to quite explain this treasure. The likely hood of a wave of people rushing here and ruining it is slim, right? I mean, if Deb Dormody wouldn't of told me then I wouldn't of gotten to experience it, so share it is.

Once inside, the building went on forever. Then the nice lady tells you there is a downstairs, and that went on further then forever. All stacked with boxes upon boxes of boxes of little treasure. Some new, some old, some beyond explaining. Somehow the staff remained friendly and helpful and had some amazing ability to know where things were.

From the Wolf E. Myrow website: "the premier close out dealer for stones, findings, beads and accessories for the jewelry and fashion trade. We are a wholesale supplier to costume jewelry manufacturers, designers, artists, bead stores and crafters, flea market vendors and resellers."NOTE: Don't let the site fool you, it's nothing compared to the actual spot

So, I don't know, these photos don't really explain what is hidden here. I'll stay vague and those of you who are attracted to this sort of thing will just get it.

Friday, January 22, 2010

I went here a few times when I first moved to Milwaukee. I even applied for a job here once. I have an affinity for working at crappy diners. You get to meet the most interesting people that way. I can't remember why I didn't get (or was it take) that job. I may of had fresh memories of working at the Blue Bird diner in New Orleans where I made about $4.00 an hour since all my regulars tipped me quarters. The Acapulco was a diner, but they also served terrible, like slimy gross terrible, Mexican food. This seemed unnecessary considering they were surrounded by all the best Mexican restaurants in the city, why not just stick to burgers and fries? I think they may of been 24 hours, or at least open very late.

I bet there is some good stuff inside that building. Maybe someone has made it a home in the last few years since it's been boarded up. I like to imagine it's filled with Milwaukee treasures that sadly will most likely just get flattened and taken to the dump. I'm thankful I went there, even if the food did suck, however, wish I would of shot some photos of the interior. I think it was teal and orange, but that I may be making that part up

Friday, January 15, 2010

This place is like a hidden treasure. If you are even in Providence, RI and like to make stuff. Go here. That's all I'm going to say. You can look up the website, but it does it no justice, just go, with money and room in your suitcase.

Hello.Over the past 10 years I've used this blog for various purposes. Before I had a website or instagram existed it provided me a home base for my photographs, acting as the core method of communication. I've also used it as a way to keep track of projects, events and places I am visiting.

Now that I'm not on the go as much I post less frequently, but will continue to make updates when I feel inspired.